Hurricane Dorian has strength at 85 mph hurricane at 11 a.m. on Thursday and is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 sometime today.

The risk of life threatening storm surge and hurricane force winds this weekend continues to increase in the Northwestern Bahamas, and hurricane watches could be issued there today or Friday. residents should have their hurricane plan in place and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.

Regardless of the exact track of Dorian, heavy rains are expected to occur over portions of the Bahamas, Florida, and elsewhere in the Southeastern United States this weekend and into the middle of next week.

August 29, 2019 5AM UPDATE:

Hurricane Dorian has strength at 85 mph hurricane at 5 a.m. on Thursday and is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 sometime today.

it is still too early to tell where exactly the potential landfall will happen.

According to NBC2, the plot models are still in disagreement to where the landfall will occur. As of 5am this morning, the GFS model has it landing in Jacksonville, EURO in West Palm Beach and Baron has it entering near Orlando.

“The European model is most concerning for Southwest Florida since it brings the storm in east of Lake Okeechobee. This is the most intense version of Dorian in the models and would bring hurricane force winds to parts of Southwest Florida” said NBC2 in a report.

Florida under State of emergency as Hurricane Dorian path tracks towards

5pm Update:

Dangerous winds will continue in the Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques, and portions of Puerto Rico during the next few hours.

Heavy rainfall over portions of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands could produce flash flooding through Thursday morning.

The risk of dangerous storm surge and hurricane-force winds later this week and weekend continues to increase in the central and northwestern Bahamas and along the Florida east coast, although it is too soon to determine where these hazards will occur.

Heavy rains are expected over Bahamas, Florida and elsewhere in the southwestern United States later this week and into early next week.

Dorian has strengthened into a hurricane near St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Dorian now packs 75 mph winds as it’s making landfall on the island of St. Thomas. [CREDIT: NBC2]

1:50PM UPDATE:

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center calls for the storm to reach Category 3 status Sunday morning.

The latest forecast cone shows the storm making landfall early Monday somewhere along the Florida or Georgia coast.

According to NBC2, the forecast cone is largely unchanged but does bring in Dorian a little slower, which will give it the opportunity to get stronger.

By Thursday evening, the storm is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as it tracks east of the Bahamas. It could reach Category 3 status when it makes landfall on the east coast of Florida early Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.

.@NHC_Atlantic is forecasting that #Dorian could be a major Hurricane. We’ve been monitoring this storm with @FLSERT and will continue to watch closely. All Floridians on the East Coast should have 7 days of supplies, prepare their homes & follow the track closely.

“Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Dorian, all residents on the East Coast should prepare for impacts, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding. Make sure to have your supplies ready and follow @FLSERT [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and local media for the latest updates on the forecast,” DeSantis said.

11AM UPDATE:

YABUCOA, PUERTO RICO – AUGUST 28: Ya Mary Morales (L) and Henry Sustache put plywood over the windows of their home as they prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Dorian on August 28, 2019 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. The Tropical Storm is expected to hit around 2pm this afternoon. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Many of the communities across the island have been preparing ahead of the Tropical Storm.

144746_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind

WATCH: NBC2 meteorologists Jason Dunning and Rob Duns just got a brand new advisory from the National Hurricane Center about Hurricane Dorian. Listen in now as we break down what we know. 11 A.M. HURRICANE DORIAN UPDATEWATCH LIVE: NBC2 meteorologists Jason Dunning and Rob Duns just got a brand new advisory from the National Hurricane […]

As the storm moves east, Puerto Rico is more and more in the clear. @NHC_Atlantic says the U.S Virgin Islands will take a direct hit, as well as St. Croix, very soon. Vieques which is near Puerto Rico will also be affected.

The risk of dangerous storm surge and hurricane-force winds is increasing in the central and northwest Bahamas and along the east coast, although it is too soon to determine where these hazards will occur.